Nearly 2 tonnes of narcotic drugs worth Rs 400 cr seized in Delhi

In one of the biggest drug hauls in India in recent times, the Narcotics Control Bureau on Saturday seized 1,818 kilograms of 'Pseudoephedrine', worth about Rs 400 crore in the international market. In addition, two kilograms of cocaine were also seized.

"The CISF at the Indira Gandhi International Airport intercepted a South African national on May 9. From her possession, 24.7 kgs of Pseudoephedrine was seized," said Abhay, director general of NCB.

The woman was identified as Nomsa Lutalo, and upon interrogation, she revealed locations where she had been in the past. A team of the NCB then raided a house based on her tip-offs, and collected the contraband. Two Nigerian nationals, including a woman, were found in the house.

"Pseudoephedrine is a precursor used for the manufacture of methamphetamine, a drug widely used in Europe and South East Asia. This is the biggest ever seizure of pseudoephedrine/ephedrine in India outside factory premises, by any agency as per our records," added Abhay.

Documents recovered from the two Nigerians were found to be fake, so the investigators are probing how they entered the country.

The seizure comes just days after 26.75 kgs of Ketamine, a psychotropic substance, were seized in Bengaluru. The racket's kingpin, who had initially fled after handing over the consignment, was subsequently nabbed in Yelahanka in Bengaluru after a massive search operation also involving the Bengaluru police.

Investigations also revealed that the kingpin had several contacts in different parts of Australia, and enquiry into this is currently underway. Investigations also led to the discovery of a manufacturing unit in Hyderabad. From this unit's premises, 477 kgs of white crystalline powder, believed to be ketamine, was recovered and seized.